t to make Mr
Crockford a MILLIONNAIRE--for a millionnaire he was in the English sense
of the term, after making the largest possible allowance for bad debts.
A vast sum, perhaps half a million, was sometimes due to him; but as he
won, all his debtors were able to raise, and easy credit was the most
fatal of his lures. He retired in 1840, much as an Indian chief retires
from a hunting country when there is not game enough left for his tribe,
and the club tottered to its fall.'

(39) 'Le Wellington des Joueurs was the name given to Lord Rivers in
Paris. The other three, we believe, were Lord Sefton, Lord Chesterfield,
and Lord Granville or Lord Talbot.' Times, 7 Jan. 1868.

Crockford was originally a FISHMONGER, keeping a shop near Temple Bar.
By embarking in this speculation he laid the foundation of the most
colossal fortune that was ever made by play.

It was said there were persons of rank and station, who had never paid
their debts to Crockford, up to 1844, and that some of his creditors
compounded with him for their gambling debts. His proprietorship had
lasted 15 or 16 years.

Crockford himself was examined by the committee of the House of Commons
on the Gaming Houses; but in spite of his assurance by the members that
were indemnified witnesses in respect of pending actions, he resolutely
declined to 'tell the secrets of his prison-house.' When asked whether a
good deal of play was carried on at his club, he said:--'There may have
been so; but I do not feel myself at liberty to answer that question--to
DIVULGE THE PURSUITS OF PRIVATE GENTLEMEN. Situated as I was, I do not
feel myself at liberty to do so. I do not feel myself at liberty to
answer that question.'

When asked to whom he had given up the house, he fenced in like
manner, saying that he had given it up to a 'committee' of about 200
gentlemen,--concerning which committee he professed to 'know absolutely
nothing'--he could not even say to whom he had given up the house--he
gave it up to the gentlemen of the club four years before--he could not
even say (upon his word) whether he signed any paper in giving it up--he
believed he did not--adding--'I said I grew too old, and I could not
continue in the club any longer, and I wished to give up the club to the
gentlemen, who made their own arrangement.'

Being asked, 'Do you think that a person is just as honourably bound to
pay a debt which he loses upon a game of Hazard, as he would be to pay
a bet wh